Dave Sharma (NSW, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury) Share this | Hansard source

Before speaking I'd like to endorse and commend the comments made by Senator Pocock just then and add my name to his sentiments. Today I want to express my congratulations and appreciation to the Armenian National Committee of Australia, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Since it was first established 50 years ago, the Armenian National Committee has worked tirelessly to advance the concerns of the Armenian Australian community, to help them play a full role in the civic, commercial, cultural and political life of this nation, to help shape public policy, to help inform lawmakers, including about the history—in many respects, the tragic history—of the Armenian people and the Armenian nation, and to build bridges between today's Armenia and Australia. Through its national network, through its advocacy and through its very active participation in the life of this parliament and indeed the corridors of this building, the committee has served as a vital bridge between the community and their elected representatives, ensuring that Armenian Australian voices are heard clearly in our national discourse.

Today the committee represents some 36 Armenian Australian organisations with some 5½ thousand members right across the country and serves the broader community of around 50,000 Australians who can trace their descent to Armenia. The committee has helped Armenian Australians contribute to the life of our nation in business, in education, in the arts, in public service and in community leadership. It has helped demonstrate how a committed diaspora organisation can enrich Australian democracy, promote human rights and strengthen our very nation. I congratulate the Armenian National Committee of Australia on this milestone and commend them for their tremendous work over these past five decades.